Distinguished Service Order

A total of nine¹ Distinguished Service Orders, one bar to DSO and one second bar to DSO were awarded to members of the 52nd Battalion for actions while serving with the unit.

• Collier, Ernest Victor, Maj
  52nd Bn War Diary, October 1917, Appendix 3.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a company in a raid on the enemy's position. He led his company with great skill and courage, and was the first to enter the enemy trenches. He was at once wounded by machine gun fire, but continued to lead his men. When the objective had been destroyed, the enemy launched a counter-attack, which he broke up completely. His splendid leadership contributed largely to the success of the enterprise" (London Gazette 30583/p3417, 15 March 1918).
  
  Maj Collier won his DSO for work during a raid at Lens shortly after the battle for Hill 70.
  
  
• Evans, William  Bernard, Maj
  "Awarded on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday; 1917". No citation (Riddle and Mitchell 1991:32).
  
  
• Foster, William Wasbrough, LtCol,
  William Foster was awarded the DSO while serving with the Canadian Mounted Rifles (LG 29837/p3, 24 Nov 1916).
  
  
  Bar to DSO
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in command of the supporting battalion he personally led two companies of his unit in a flanking attack on some concrete strong points, containing several hostile machine guns. Owing to his personal example of gallantry, his tactical ability and effective leadership, the whole objective was gained with but small loss, and a critical situation was retrieved" (LG 30651/p2, 23 Apr 1918).
  
  
  Second Bar to DSO
  "For conspicuous gallantry and splended leadership. After two unsuccessful attacks on a village he made a daring reconnaissance to locate enemy machine guns; and then having organised two raiding parties he led one of them personally while the other made a feint attack on a flank. With his own party he accounted for several machine guns, and the eventual result of this third attack was the capture of the village, the defeat of an enemy counter-attack, and the capture of 250 prisoners by his battalion. In the evening he handed over his advanced line to a relieving battalion. He rendered most valuable service" (LG 31043/p2, 29 Nov 1918).
  
  
• Jamieson, William Francis, Lt
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the original attack broke down, despite heavy losses, he moved his company forward and held his ground under severe fire until a second attack was made. When this succeeded, he again led his company forward and captured his objective ahead of him with numerous prisoners and machine-guns. He showed great courage and skill" (LG 30651/p4, 23 Apr 1918).
  
  
• King, William Hope, Lt
  52nd Bn War Diary, October 1917, Appendix 3.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a raid on the enemy's trenches. During the advance his Company Commander was killed and he was severely wounded, but he at once took command of the company, and led it into the enemy trench, where heavy fighting took place, and he was again wounded. He continued to direct his company until the entire enemy garrison had been killed or captured and the dug-outs and machine gun emplacements destroyed. He then directed the withdrawal with the greatest skill and coolness, being the last to leave the enemy trenches, and carried in a wounded serjeant under heavy machine gun fire. Before having his wounds attended to he personally made a report to his Commanding Officer. His magnificent courage and determination were an inspiring example to all ranks" (London Gazette 30583/p3417, 15 March 1918).
  
  Lt King won his DSO for work during a raid at Lens shortly after the battle of Hill 70.
  
  
• Lawless, William Thewles, Maj
  52nd Bn War Diary, December 1917, Appendix 2.
  
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When, owing to heavy fire, the original attack failed, he at once advanced to the support company, and reorganised the line. He then went ahead under very heavy fire to select a position from which a further advance could be made. Although wounded by a sniper he remained with the company until he could explain the situation personally to his commanding officer. He displayed great skill and courage" (LG 30651/p4, 23 April 1918).
  
  Maj Lawless won his DSO for work at Passchendaele.
  
  
• McCaghey, Norman Fraser, Maj
  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion in a successful attack, when his fine courage and  initiative were the outstanding features of the occasion. During the enemy counter-attack, when his company was greatly out-numbered, he exposed himself fearlessly in steading the line, during which time he was severely wounded, and his splendid example largely accounted for the enemy's complete defeat" (LG 31119/p11, 10 January 1919).
  
  
• Sutherland, Donald Matheson, LtCol
  "For conspicuous gallantry in action near Bois-de-Vert, 27/28th August, 1918, when he handled his battalion with great tactical ability. His personal courage and leadership were largely responsible for the success of the operations, at a time when casualities were severe and enemy opposition was most stubborn" (LG 31158/p16, 31 January 1919).
  
  
• Wilcox, Edward Alexander Cumberland, Maj
  "Awarded on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday; 1918". No citation (Riddle and Mitchell 1991:110).
  
  
• Young, John Douglas, Maj
  "Awarded on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday; 1919". No citation (Riddle and Mitchell 1991:112).
  

¹ Stanly lists 10 DSOs awarded to the 52nd Battalion. In that list he included LtCol Foster's DSO.